Major city · Australia
Lakes Entrance
Give it 2 nights if you want beach plus lake time; 1 night is enough to break the Melbourne–Sydney drive and see the entrance.
Lakes Entrance is where the Gippsland Lakes meet the sea: a small holiday town of about 4,800 people on the Princes Highway, with a patrolled ocean beach, calm inlet water and boat hire. It works as a one- or two-night stop on the coastal drive, not as a destination in itself. Come in summer for swimming, or in a shoulder month for quieter beaches and lower motel rates.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Dec–Mar for swimming; Nov and Apr for quieter beaches
- avoid Jul–Aug (cold, wet, many operators closed)
- Airports
- MEL · MCO
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Lakes Entrance000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lakes Entrance, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA low-crime holiday town; the real risks are ocean rips, inlet jellyfish and wildlife on the highway at dusk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMEL Melbourne Airport (About 3.5–4 h by car via the Princes Highway; no direct train to Lakes Entrance).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable along the Esplanade and Marine Parade, and Eastern Beach Road has a bike lane.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedHostel or caravan-park cabin bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$320 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$160 (≈ US$110) · High A$280 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MEL Melbourne Airport (About 3.5–4 h by car via the Princes Highway; no direct train to Lakes Entrance) · MCO Orbost Airport (Small field, no scheduled passenger service; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jul
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Aug
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Sep
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jul (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jun (12 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lakes Entrance: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jul
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Aug
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable along the Esplanade and Marine Parade, and Eastern Beach Road has a bike lane. Bikes, scooters and skateboards are not allowed on the footbridge to the ocean beach. A car helps for Eastern Beach, the camping reserve and day trips; there is no local bus network worth relying on.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Buchan Caves
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Car via Buchan, about 45 min
Guided cave tours run on set times; check times and book in summer.
Bairnsdale
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car or coach along the Princes Highway, about 40 min
Rail link to Melbourne and the main regional services.
Orbost
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Car east on the Princes Highway, about 45 min
Small town; useful as a break on the drive to Mallacoota.
Mallacoota
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5–3 h
Car east on the Princes Highway, about 2.5 h
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep there.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
The Esplanade and Marine Parade
Waterfront motels and apartments; walk to the footbridge, boat hire and most eating places.
Princes Highway strip
Cheaper motels and caravan parks on the highway; a car is useful for the beach.
Eastern Beach Road
Quieter, closest to the patrolled ocean beach; bike lane into town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–150 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$150–250 (≈ US$100–170) excl. bed
- High
- A$250 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 2 nights × A$180 | A$360 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$160 | A$640 |
| Paddle boat or catamaran hire, one hour1 × A$40 · check | A$40 |
| Fish and chips, one serve2 × A$18 · check | A$36 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$113 |
| Trip total≈ A$310 per person per day, bed included | A$1,239≈ US$850 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and long-distance travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Fish and chips | A$15–25 (≈ US$10–17) |
| Pub or club main meal | A$22–35 (≈ US$15–25) |
| Motel double, summer weekendHigher in school holidays. | A$180–320 (≈ US$120–250) |
| Paddle boat or catamaran hire, per hourcheck | A$35–50 (≈ US$25–35) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rip currents on the ocean beach: swim between the flags, and note patrolling is seasonal (roughly Christmas to Australia Day).
- Jellyfish in the inlet; the enclosed swimming area is safest, best at higher tides.
- Summer school holidays fill motels and caravan parks: book ahead.
- Kangaroos and wildlife on roads at dawn and dusk.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
Pocket card
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Lakes EntranceLakes Entrance
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
Embassy
No embassies in town; consulates-general are in Melbourne.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Coach Lakes Entrance → Bairnsdale: about A$15–25 (≈ US$10–17), about 40 min (check)
- Coach Lakes Entrance → Melbourne: about A$40–70 (≈ US$30–50), about 5–6 h (check)
- Paddle boat hire, per hour: about A$35–50 (≈ US$25–35) (check)
Say or show
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach?
- Is it patrolled today? — Is it patrolled today?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
Most of the town has mobile coverage from the main national networks.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lakes Entrance. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar for swimming; Nov and Apr for quieter beaches · avoid Jul–Aug (cold, wet, many operators closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares